How Effective is Baking Soda Against Ants?
Does baking soda kill ants? Well, you might be wondering if it does because of the other home remedies for getting rid of ants over the past decades.
Baking soda, otherwise called sodium bicarbonate, is a white powder often used in cooking. When it gets together with wet stuff and something a bit sour like lemon juice or vinegar, it creates bubbles.
These bubbles are full of carbon dioxide, and that’s what makes cakes and cookies puff up when you’re baking.
So, let’s dive into details to know if this white powder otherwise called baking soda can actually be used to kill ants that invade our homes and how to use it effectively.
Does Baking Soda Kill Ants Instantly?
Baking soda serves as an ant killer primarily when the ants ingest it, leading to an instant death within a few minutes.
However, the inherent challenge lies in the fact that ants possess an instinctual aversion to baking soda, making its application complex if they are already present within your home.
Discovering the ant nest provides an opportunity to sprinkle baking soda generously, with the hope that the ants might ingest it.
Yet, it’s important to note that this method isn’t a rapid solution, especially if dealing with an existing ant problem indoors.
If you’re aiming for preventive measures and haven’t encountered ants yet, strategically placing baking soda around potential entry points could act as a deterrent.
However, once ants have established a presence within your home, relying solely on baking soda might not be the most efficient approach to resolve the infestation promptly.
But combining various strategies, such as locating entry points, addressing the nest directly, and implementing preventive measures.
This may yield more effective results in managing and preventing ant-related challenges in your living space.
How to Get Rid of Ants with Baking Soda
Baking soda can help you keep ants away or get rid of them if they’ve invaded your place.
To stop them from coming in, just sprinkle some baking soda around doors, windows, and other spots where they might sneak in.
You can also put it in cabinets, under sinks, and other damp places where ants like to hide in your home.
If you want to use baking soda to kill ants, mix it with powdered sugar. Ants avoid plain baking soda, but if you mix it with sugar, they’ll eat it, thinking it’s food.
This way, they’ll carry the mix back to their nest, helping to deal with the whole ant colony.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Mix It Up
Combine equal amounts of confectioners’ sugar and baking soda in a cup.
If you want, throw in a treat like honey or peanut butter to attract the ants more.
2. Sprinkle Around
Put the mix where you see lots of ants. If they’re coming in through a crack, sprinkle it there.
Don’t forget to seal the crack after dealing with the ants.
3. Outdoor Defense
Spread the mix on ant mounds, stepping stones, near firewood piles, and around the base of trees outside.
These steps should help with your ant issue. You can also make a paste by adding water to the mix. Another trick is to put some of the mix in a soda can and leave it outside.
How to Make an Ant Killer at Home
To make an effective DIY ant killer at home, collect a few easily available materials: baking soda, powdered sugar, jar lids, and a measuring spoon.
Here’s a more detailed guide on how to make and use it:
1. Ingredient Mix
Combine equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. For example, you can use 3/4 tablespoon of each.
Mix these two ingredients thoroughly, and a jar lid will help the mixing.
2. Application Strategy
Once your mixture is ready, strategically place it where you’ve noticed an activity.
You can either use jar lids to put the bait or apply it directly to surfaces frequented by ants.
3. Observation
Now, allow the baking soda and sugar combination to work its charm.
Ants are attracted to the sweet powdered sugar but get affected by the baking soda, leading to an effective and natural solution to curb ant-related issues.
By following these steps, you’re not only creating a simple and accessible ant killer but also using it strategically to manage and deter ant presence in your living spaces.
To keep ants away in your kitchen, it’s crucial to keep it clean and free of any food mess. Use vinegar to clean surfaces and wipe away ant trails since ants don’t like it.
If you spot where they’re coming in, plug it with Borax or diatomaceous earth and seal it with clear caulk. By doing this you are attacking the problem at its source.
Alternatives to Baking Soda to Kill Ants
Dealing with an ant invasion is best left to the professionals, like exterminators or pest control experts.
However, while waiting for them, you can try some non-chemical methods to keep the ants in check, which are;
1. Keep it Clean
A super basic but crucial step is to keep your home, especially the kitchen, spick and span.
Regularly sweep, mop, and wipe down surfaces to eliminate any tempting food bits. Check and clean counters and cabinets to make sure no crumbs are inviting ants over.
2. Glass Cleaner or Dish Detergent
Ants leave a scent trail to guide each other.
Wipe down floors and surfaces with glass cleaner or liquid dish detergent to erase this trail and reduce the chances of more ants joining the party.
3. Essential Oils
Peppermint and tea tree oil can act as natural ant repellents.
However, if you have pets, be cautious as these oils might not sit well with them.
4. Boiling Water
If you spot any holes, pouring boiling water into them can take care of some ants. But beware, this won’t wipe out an entire ant colony.
Finding all the holes can be tricky, so it might be a job for the professionals.
5. Call Pest Control
Ultimately, the safest and most effective way to handle any infestation, including ants, is to call in pest control.
They know the best methods to get rid of ants and can provide long-term solutions. Plus, they’ll consider the safety of your family, especially if there are little ones or pets around.
Baking soda has been likened to a kitchen wizard, great for baking and surprisingly useful against ants.
While it won’t destroy them instantly, the clever trick is to mix baking soda with something sweet to lure them in.
Once they take the bait, it messes with their insides and helps solve your ant problem.
So, next time you spot those tiny invaders, consider unleashing the baking soda magic to keep them at bay and your living home will be free from ants.
